No Time to Write? How to Fit Writing a Book into Your Busy Schedule
Writing a book is a dream for so many, but let’s face it—finding the time to write can feel like an impossible task. Life is busy, and with everything else on your plate, squeezing in time to create can feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: you can find time to write. With a little strategy and some encouragement, that book you’ve been dreaming about can become a reality.
Let’s dive in!
Set Realistic Goals
No one (okay, most of us) don’t write a book in a day, so the key here is to focus on manageable chunks. Maybe it’s writing 500 words each writing day or completing one chapter a week. When you break your goals down into smaller, bite-sized pieces, they’re easier to accomplish—and every step forward builds momentum.
Establish a Consistent Schedule
Even if you don’t write “every” day, consistency is key. On your writing days, establish a ritual. Whether it’s lighting a candle and making a cup of coffee or cleaning off your kitchen table and playing some ambient background music, your brain will soon learn that these habits mean it’s time to focus on writing.
Leverage Small Time Blocks
You don’t need hours of uninterrupted time to write a book. When I wrote my second novel, I was employed and doing admin work. Bombarded by ideas, I would often scribble down scenes on scrap sheets of paper in between typing up invoices! Turn your lunch break into a writing sesh, or scribble down the dialogue for your scene while waiting in a long line at the store. Whatever it takes to show up for yourself during the time you committed to writing, do it. Every little bit add up.
Minimize Distractions
Whether it’s your cell phone buzzing or your email binging, distractions are seemingly everywhere. During your writing time, create a space that’s as distraction-free as possible. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs on your computer, and let the people around you know you’ll be unavailable for the next hour. If you can’t find quiet at home, noise-canceling headphones might help. If all else fails, pack up your laptop and notebook and go to a coffee shop. A friend of mine goes for a drive to dictate her books. Do whatever works!
Prioritize Writing Over Other Tasks
Making the time write means reassessing your priorities. What are you trading for your writing time? An hour of sleep? An hour of television or doom-scrolling? I spend plenty of time watching TV (and scrolling, doom and otherwise), so I’m not suggesting you cut out the things you love entirely. But it’s worth a hard look at where you’re spending your time so that you can fit in writing time. That book you’re writing? IT MATTERS. And so do you. You’ll never regret taking the time to learn how to express yourself.
Utilize Tools to Stay Organized
Tools like planners, digital calendars, or writing apps can be motivating for hitting your daily word count goals, or making your deadline. Use them to schedule your writing time and track your progress. (I love nothing more than a ticked box!) I make this process fun by stickering my planner and using Tombow markers to highlight important sections. I also recommend keeping a notebook handy (an app on your phone works well too) to capture any bursts of inspiration that may strike.
Be Flexible but Persistent
When life is life-ing our best-laid plans can go to sh*t. If you miss a writing session, or fall short of your word count goal, don’t beat yourself up. Take another look at your schedule and adjust accordingly. Calling yourself a failure will not speed up the process.
Find a Friend Who’s Writing Too
Writing is a solitary practice, but it doesn’t have to be. Find a friend who is also writing a book and do writing sprints (usually writing 1,000 words in an hour is the goal, but you can adjust to make sense for your goals). If you don’t know anyone around you, go to social media and find a buddy. There are writing groups all over the place! A word of wisdom: If you notice that the friend or group you’ve joined has become a hotspot for complaining and disempowering others, LEAVE. Find support in a mentor or a friend who is looking for solutions instead of problems.
Celebrate!
Since most of us don’t write a book in a day, it’s important to celebrate incremental wins during this journey. Completed your word count goal for the day? Stop working for the day and make yourself a mocktail. Or go to your local thrift shop and browse. Or take a bubble bath and watch the latest Real Housewives (that’s been my go-to lately!). Small rewards like these remind us that we are achieving on the way to The End.
Remember Your “Why”
If you feel discouraged, remind yourself why you decided to write in the first place. Do you want to be a published author with a six-figure contract? Do you want to be a self-pub maven? Reconnect with your big dreams. Make a vision board or a list of reasons why it’s important to you. Keep it in front of you and refer to it often. PRO TIP: Often our real reasons go beyond the money or the fame. Make sure you include how you’ll feel once you get there: accomplished, confident, proud… You will grow during this process, and that’s a good thing.
Writing a book takes dedication, but you don’t have to put your life on hold to make it happen. By taking small, consistent steps and giving yourself grace along the way, you can carve out the time you need to bring your story to life.
You’ve got this!
xo, Jessica 🍋
Are you on the list?
If you’re reading this blog, that means you’re either writing a book or thinking about writing a book. Over the years, many readers have mentioned to me that they have an idea for a book, but had no idea what to do next. I have been posting helpful tips and advice for as long as I’ve been writing, both via a blog and my social media accounts. But deep down, I wanted to go deeper. I didn’t only want to offer 3 Tips for This and The Top 10 ways to do That.
I want to share not only information, but my heart, too. 💛
Since 2012 I have written 47 books. During that decade-plus, I have had experiences both with traditional publishing houses and in publishing for myself under my LLC. I have taught myself how to write. I have tried things that didn’t work. I have screwed up so that you don’t have to. 😜
Point being, I know I can help you on your journey because I am someone who practices what she preaches. If you’ve been in writing groups or have followed writing hashtags, you’ve likely heard someone say that “writing is hard”. Well, I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be.
What if writing was fun?
What if you sat down each writing day and felt the pure excitement; the pure enjoyment of learning your craft? Of bringing your imagination to reality? What if you felt encouraged instead of lost?
My writing course is almost ready! I will let my For Writers subscribers know first, so if you’re not on my newsletter list yet, I encourage you to sign up below. 👇
I can’t wait to help you finally, finally finish that book you’ve been dreaming of writing.